GwinnettForum | Number 22.90 | Dec. 19, 2023
HOW ABOUT A LOCATION SIGN or landscaping added in the middle of the new round-about at Old Tucker Road and Lilburn-Stone Mountain Roads? That’s among ideas residents of the Mountain Park community are thinking about. Let the community know what you think. Take a community survey.
TODAY’S FOCUS: There’s a reason Georgia’s highways are mighty smooth
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Maps, breweries, nursing homes, NCAA and two losses
SPOTLIGHT: Crowne Plaza Hotel
ANOTHER VIEW: Are Independent Redistricting Commissions the answer?
FEEDBACK: Prefers midnight to halt alcohol drink sales
UPCOMING: Peachtree Corners launches underground robot delivery
NOTABLE: Chamber to name Rudy Bowen Citizen of the Year
RECOMMENDED: Much Ado About Nothing, 1993 Movie
GEORGIA TIDBIT: The national Cryptologic Center is located at Fort Eisenhower
MYSTERY PHOTO: This mystery might be the result of holiday shopping!
CALENDAR: Groundbreaking for new facility at Annandale is January 5
There’s a reason Georgia’s highways are mighty smooth
Via Unsplash
(Editor’s note: Why are Georgia’s highways among the smoothest in the nation, and a pleasure to drive on? It didn’t just happen. We asked a 35 year veteran of the Georgia Department of Transportation, Larry Dent, a native of Jesup who now lives in Gainesville, that question and got this detailed response. Dent retired in 2006 while serving as deputy commissioner to Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl. –eeb)
By Larry Dent
GAINESVILLE, Ga. | Early in Buford resident Tom Moreland’s era of the Department of Transportation, an emphasis was placed on the smoothness of the roads of the State Highway System of Georgia. There were roughly 18, 000 miles of roads maintained by the Georgia Department of Transportation in the late 1970s.
Dent
As commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT, Tom Moreland had surrounded himself with engineers who knew pavement maintenance. Alan Childers, director of Maintenance; Stanley Lord (of Gwinnett), State Maintenance Engineer; Hugh Tyner, Dan Vandiver, Paul Hooper and other GDOT employees were part of the team that was instrumental in creating the rating system for the 18,000 miles of roads in the state of Georgia.
The outcome of this system was PACES (Pavement Condition Evaluation Survey), which required that every mile of road in the state be rated every year. A 100 foot section within each mile of roadway was tested, which represented the condition of that mile as physically rated by individuals who were specifically trained for this task. The ratings covered all aspects of the pavement condition, such as cracking, rutting, raveling and other conditions. A numerical rating was assigned to each section of roads in the state. Thresholds were established and second ratings were done on potential sections that met the threshold.
When sections warranted resurfacing, staff would determine if it would be more economical to place thin overlays of asphalt (1.25 to 1.75 inches) plus approximately a half inch of leveling on sections of distressed pavement. This approach would alleviate the need to do major rehabilitation. This alternative would last 7 to 10 years and was much less expensive than performing major rehab on a section of road. This approach would require approximately 6-8 percent of the mileage in Georgia to be resurfaced each year.
Also during this time, testing for the smoothness (GDT 126) was established for new roads that were being built, as well as sections of roads that were being widened, resurfaced or reconstructed. The criteria required that the finished pavement would meet or exceed the desired smoothness numbers. These numbers are the result of a recording made by a road profiler on every lane mile under construction. As a result of this approach to pavement maintenance, Georgia roads have consistently been ranked among the smoothest roads in the United States.
Lastly, another area of improvement that contributed to the smooth roads was the continuous improvement in the designs of asphaltic concrete mixes. With crushed granite as the backbone of the mixes in Georgia, testing to produce mixes that did not rut or ravel was a constant project. This has been a major factor in GDOT’s ability to maintain such a smooth ride.
One of the old adages in GDOT has always been: “Build the roads in Georgia where the road is pleasant to the eye and pleasing to the behind.” GDOT has been consistent in their efforts to provide a smooth ride across one of the most beautiful states in the United States.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Maps, breweries, nursing homes, NCAA and two losses
The latest map puts Gwinnett in four congressional districts.
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
DEC. 19, 2023 | The recently passed map by the Statehouse of Georgia state and federal legislative districts will be getting judicial scrutiny. Republicans might brace themselves from not doing enough to make the districts equitable. If untenable, a special master must re-do the districts.
The current U.S. House districts would put Gwinnett into not one, two or three, but four different Congressional districts. For the sake of the voter’s understanding, it would be best to have Gwinnett in two such districts, since with over a million population, we outnumber having just one Congressional district.
But hey, by being in four districts, then the county can approach four members of Congress when they need Congressional action! It’s not all bad!
Several local breweries have closed recently. What it means is that too many have opened. After all, even with the influx of newcomers, Gwinnett has never been a community like the television show “Cheers.” Neighborhood bars are not as frequent here as they are in other parts of the county.
And what’s the worth of a local beer, when you can still get (though not very easily) Rolling Rock?
The actions of politicians continually stump us. So often, they seem to act illogically, proposing the very opposite of what they should be doing.
The most recent is an effort to relax senior and personal care home staff requirements. Yes, that’s at least the efforts of the owner-run Georgia Senior Living Association. “Cut the payroll, and make more money,” seems to be their mantra. But they are cutting their own throats, for eventually people will stay away from poorly-run places. The very idea!
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is catching heat in several ways these days. (Ask Florida State!) It should catch the devil. For years, rather than looking out for the college athletes, they have ensured that the college athletic programs and their staff have richly prospered beyond belief.
It all started, we feel, years ago when they began allowing freshmen to participate in intercollegiate sports their first year in college. Requiring the freshmen to sit out a year and get their early days of a basic education would have been a better way to go.
And now they are even letting athletes compete for not just four years, but for five and six years. Red-shirting doesn’t help. Allowing athletes to transfer to other schools may seem reasonable, but it is causing maybe more trouble than it solves.
And there is no doubt that the major cause of the problem is the big money that television brings to the NCAA. It has worked out so that the same major teams end up with the most money, and the continued domination of the same teams over and over and over.
There must be a better way for the NCAA to operate? What’s your suggestion?
Some football fanatics are still moaning over the loss of a key football game recently. Yeah, that’s unfortunate. Your pain shows.
But what if your teams lost twice? You see the two schools I graduated from, both lost: Iowa, to Michigan, 26-0, then even worse, Mercer, in small college playoffs, lost to South Dakota State’s Jackrabbits, 41-0. That’s right, neither team could even score! At least most of you only lost once.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Crowne Plaza Hotel
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s underwriting sponsor is the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Norcross. It is the only four-star hotel in the area, at the intersection of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Holcomb Bridge Road. Its 238 rooms and 10,000 square feet of meeting spaces await you. Enjoy amenities such as an on-site pool and fitness center. Enjoy the elegant Eighteen70 restaurant and lounge (named for the date the City of Norcross was founded.) You will find the two ballrooms and in-house catering makes for a perfect wedding venue. Parking is always free, and you can easily connect to the internet without cost. Nearby are shopping, sports and parks. The Chattahoochee River is two miles away, offering some of the best trout fishing in its cold waters.’ For more details visitwww.crowneplaza.com/norcrossga.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
Are Independent Redistricting Commissions the answer?
By John Titus
PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. | In October 2023, a federal judge ordered the Georgia legislature to redraw state legislative and congressional districts for the 2024 election. The legislature did so, and the governor signed the bill. As of this writing the judge has not ruled whether the new map is acceptable.
Titus
Independent Redistricting Commissions (IRC) are a recent innovation designed to end gerrymandering by empowering non-political actors to draw fair lines to represent the interests of the public rather than the politicians. The aim is to allow voters to choose their politicians rather than the politicians choose what they want their district to look like. As of 2020, twenty states use some form of non-partisan or bipartisan redistricting commissions to draw their district lines.
David Imamura, a member of New York’s commission, studied various forms and operating procedures of commissions across the country. Not all are successful. An article he wrote described the conditions he believed necessary for success.
- Commissions cannot be evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. These will most likely fail. California is an example of a successful one. Its commission is composed of 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans and 4 commissioners from neither party. Those 4 can serve as tiebreakers.
- Commissions should not be merely advisory; their decisions should be final. Many states allow legislatures to override the decisions of the commissions.
- Commission members should not be elected officials or political appointees. For example, in California the State Auditor solicits applicants from the public, reviews applications, interviews potential applicants and then conducts a lottery to select the final members.
Imamura also advocates a national solution which would involve setting national standards for creating IRCs.
I have been interested in fair elections and voting for years. Shortly after I began my career as a Federal civil servant, I was sent on temporary additional duty as a Voting Rights Observer to help enforce the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I observed elections in Clarksdale and Holly Springs, Miss., Selma, Alla. and another city in South Carolina. Ever since I have been wary of election laws claiming to increase election security or respond to court orders. Asking the majority party, Democrats or Republicans, in a state to draw fair district lines goes against their desire to win. As a result I’m in favor of effective IRCs.
Let’s draw fair district lines, have candidates present their positions on issues, and see who wins.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Prefers midnight to halt alcohol drink sales
Editor, the Forum:
You hit the nail on the head and I couldn’t agree more regarding the hours of selling alcohol. Halting the sale of alcohol at midnight would be my suggestion. The county might lose a few dollars, but we would see an improvement for our “family atmosphere” and reduce the amount of late night incidents by having this common-sense standard.
–John Moore, Duluth
Regrets Myrtle Beach hotel torn down for golf course
Editor, the Forum:
Your recent Mystery Photo of that distinctive and beautiful Chesterfield Inn, a historic hotel located on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach,S.C, really gave me pause. To think that it was torn down for a miniature golf course! That was a shame. At least the golf course got its comeuppance when it failed financially. Why didn’t the citizens of Myrtle Beach rise up and stop that hotel being torn down?
– Mark Smith, Eatonton
- Send us your thoughts: We encourage you to send us your letters and thoughts on issues raised in GwinnettForum. Please limit comments to 300 words, and include your hometown. The views of letters are the opinion of the contributor. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Send feedback and letters to: elliott@brack.net.
Peachtree Corners launches underground robot delivery
Peachtree Corners has launched the world’s first below-ground autonomous robot delivery system with Pipedream, the underground logistics network that is revolutionizing the way goods are delivered.
The new delivery system is bringing consumers unprecedented convenience through faster, autonomous, efficient and cost-effective transportation channels. Peachtree Corners is the first city to launch and install the underground logistics solution, helping in the shared mission to eliminate emissions and congestion issues that plague current delivery infrastructure.
Garrett McCurrach, CEO of Pipedream, says: “Pipedream is about embracing innovation to put the needs of communities first, with this first real-world installation we have proven that underground delivery is not only possible today but easy to retrofit.”
The system’s installation in Peachtree Corners spans almost one mile and connects a busy shopping center to the heart of Curiosity Lab’s 25,000-square-foot smart city innovation center. Curiosity Lab members will be able to order food from a handful of restaurants and select convenience items on-demand, Monday through Friday during peak lunch hours.
Pipedream’s logistics network leverages a physical, underground infrastructure in which delivery robots travel back and forth to transport food, packages, groceries, household goods and more in a fraction of the time. The autonomous robotics system offers numerous benefits to city residents and businesses, such as the elimination of carbon emissions, the reduction of traffic congestion and noise pollution by taking driver miles off the road, the minimization of vehicular accidents and cheaper, faster delivery of goods.
Chamber to name Bowen as Citizen of the Year
The Gwinnett Chamber will celebrate its global ‘Chamber of the Year’ designation and five-star accreditation at the 76th Annual Dinner on February 2, 2024. This premier event of the season will be held in the Gas South District’s grand ballroom.
Bowen
The Chamber plans to honor several individuals. The top award, the Citizen of the , the Citizen of the year, will go to Rudy Bowen, as Gwinnett developer and member of the State Transportation Board, who lives in Suwanee.
Other awards include:
- Five Public Service Awards: Deirdra Cox, Community Sustainability Enterprise; Ron Garrard, Garrard Construction Group; Veronica Maldonado-Torres, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Uday Parikh, Dentistry 4 You; and Linda Schoepf, ABS/LMS Franchising – Little Caesars;
- D. Scott Hudgens Humanitarian Award – Because One Matters;
- James J. Maran International Award – MoneyPenny; and
- Wayne R. Shackleford Legacy Award (posthumously given) – Thomas D. Moreland.
Deadline nears for EMC’s Washington Youth Tour
Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) is accepting applications for the annual Washington Youth Tour, sponsored by the nation’s electric cooperatives. Jackson EMC will send four student delegates on an all-expense paid leadership development experience to Washington, D.C., June 14-21, 2024.
Current high school sophomores and juniors in the Jackson EMC service region who have demonstrated leadership potential, academic success and community service may apply directly online at www.jacksonemc.com/wyt.
Students can be nominated by their high school guidance counselor or teacher, as well. Applications must be received at Jackson EMC by 5 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2024.
Much Ado About Nothing, 1993 movie
From Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill: They say that plays are meant to be watched and not read, and I believe that is certainly the case with William Shakespeare’s plays. When reading his works, I often don’t follow the meaning because of the Elizabethan English language. But in this case – on camera – the play comes alive in ways you could never imagine and suddenly it all makes sense. Yes, it’s the same dialogue (parts are omitted) but in the movie, you get the facial expressions and the nuances you may miss on paper. This story begins all lovely and sweet but, of course, the ever-present villain arrives to stir up mischief. Part silly, part clever and part adventure, Kenneth Branagh’s production of this Italian romantic comedy features an all-star cast. (Michael Keaton’s portrayal of the imbecile policeman, Dogberry, sometimes steals the show.) Ultimately, it is a superb presentation of wit and banter, intrigue and action.
- An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send us your recent selection, along with a short paragraph (150 words) as to why you liked this, plus what you plan to visit or read next. Send to: elliott@brack.net
The national Cryptologic Center is located at Fort Eisenhower
(From previous edition)
In 1981 the National Science Center and the United States Army partnered to create the Preview Discovery Center, an interactive educational center for the public, at Fort Gordon (now Fort Eisenhower). The center later moved to a new facility, Fort Discovery, in 1997. Fort Discovery’s 128,000-square-foot, two-story, hands-on exhibit center closed its doors in 2010.
In 1994 the National Security Agency (NSA) partnered with the Department of Defense to establish the Fort Gordon Regional Security Operations Center (GRSOC). In 2005 the GRSOC became the National Security Agency/Central Security Service, Georgia (NSA/CSS GA).
The NSA/CSS GA became the Georgia Cryptologic Center, or NSA Georgia, when it opened its $286 million, 600,000-square-foot facility at Fort Gordon in 2012. It is one of four major NSA/CSS data and operations centers outside of NSA headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland.
Fort Gordon is also home to the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE) and the U.S. Army Cyber Command, which works together with the NSA and the Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) to provide intelligence and cyber security to the military at home and abroad. The CCoE was established in 2014 to house military cyber and signal training and instructional schools for marine corps, army, navy, air force, and multinational personnel.
The NSA Georgia at Fort Gordon drew major media attention in 2017, when Reality Winner, a federal intelligence contractor for the NSA, was arrested for leaking a confidential document confirming Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Winner obtained the document while working at Fort Gordon and was sentenced to five years and three months in prison—at the time the longest sentence ever imposed in federal court for the unauthorized release of government information to the media.
Fort Eisenhower is a major employer in east Georgia. In 2023 the Augusta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) reported approximately 31,155 military and civilian personnel on site and an economic impact of nearly $2.4 billion annually.
The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act called for the renaming of military installations that honored Confederate soldiers. In 2022 the resulting Naming Commission issued its report, which proposed nine army installations for renaming. Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), near Columbus, and Fort Gordon were among those identified by the commission.
On October 27, 2023, in a ceremony at Barton Field in Augusta, Fort Gordon was redesignated as Fort Eisenhower. The name honors former president Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was known to frequent Augusta with his wife, Mamie, before, during, and after his presidency. At the ceremony, Major General Paul Stanton, the fort’s commanding officer, cited Eisenhower’s “dedication to ensuring equal rights for soldiers and citizens alike” as an example of the values the army seeks to uphold.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
This mystery might be the result of holiday shopping!
While shopping this holiday season, you might get weary, and think that you should just slow down and get some sleep. Getting 40 winks seems like what this guy and the dog are doing. Now figure out where they are sleeping. Send your idea to elliott@brack.net and include your hometown.
The last Mystery Photo was a tough one, as only three people came up with the results. Stew Ogilvie, Lawrenceville said the photo was “Vinok (wreath), by Veronkia Psotková, an artistic work suspended above Dlouhá Street in Prague, dedicated to mothers impacted by the war in Ukraine.” The picture came from Claire Danielson of Black Mountain, N.C., via Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill.
Three others recognized it, including Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C.; Lou Camerio, Lilburn; and Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex., who added: “While researching this piece of art, I learned that hanging artwork above the city center streets of Prague has been a long tradition. The Vinok sculpture actually replaced another hanging piece of art, the Frutti di Mare (seafood), a large fishing net full of single-use, plastic waste by Czech artist Vladimír Turner.”
- SHARE A MYSTERY PHOTO: If you have a photo that you believe will stump readers, send it along (but make sure to tell us what it is because it may stump us too!) Send to: elliott@brack.net and mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
Groundbreaking for new facility at Annandale is Jan. 5
Groundbreaking for a new program center at Annandale Village will be held Friday, January 5 at 10 a.m. at 35oo Annandale Lane in Suwanee. A light breakfast will be served.
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